Corner Greeter Safety Survey results

Corner Greeter Safety Survey results

The Corner Greeter program has four elements that make it what it is – information table, surveying, beautification and FreedomNet. If you don’t have these elements you don’t have an authentic Corner Greeter.
We have some results from the safety surveys and want to share them with you.

The safety surveys of residents help us learn about their thoughts and feelings of public safety in the Rainier Beach neighborhood. As you know Corners Greeters has contributed to a decrease in crime in RB of 33% since 2016. The number goal for surveys taken in 2019 was 100. The Corner Greeters have collected 271 to date. Below are results for a 6-month reporting period from 11-17-18 to 6-27-19. Number of respondents: 377, Number of youth (25 and under) respondents: 189 (50%)

SUMMARY of FINDINGS
After 6 months of surveying 377 people in Rainier Beach, there are some clear conclusions regarding people’s use of the neighborhood, their recent experience of the neighborhood and suggestions on how to improve the neighborhood.

Highlights include: Importance of local resources and amenities: stores, library, community center, restaurants and parks are highly used places as well as amenities are regarded as highly valuable as a symbol and means to improve the community.RBCC as a central hub: The most mentioned community resource was the RB Community Center. It is seen as a positive place for youth and families. It is seen as a safe, clean and reliable place where community groups can get people involved. It is also highly respected. In addition to sports and the pool, the teen late night program was mentioned multiple times as a positive neighborhood activity. Safety and reputation improving: Overall, feelings of safety are increasing and the reputation of the neighborhood is improving. While some people mentioned gentrification and displacement, most people recognized the hard work of community groups – especially RBAC and ABSPY members like BeSafe – , schools and RBCC in bringing people together and having more community activities. It was clear that people saw community gatherings, involvement and activities as a key mechanism to increase safety and community efficacy. Built environment a continued concern: One consistent area for improvement is the built environment. Public places such as cleanliness and maintenance on sidewalks and bus stops and street lighting as well as private businesses like the Safeway parking lot and alley. There is also consistent mention of litter where public and private space meet such as business parking lots, yards and facades. While many people acknowledged that there were improvements to the built environment over the years, there is still a long way to go.

RECOMMENDATIONS (synthesized from resident feedback)

1. Continue strengthening linkages and collaboration with RBCC. Whether is holding an event at the community center, or having the community center sponsor an event. Increasing affiliation with RBCC and Parks and Recreation will increase awareness, positive association and reputation of RBAC and ABSPY work around safety, youth leadership and family.
2. Build linkages with other amenities with strong neighborhood reputation like the Library, schools and local-owned and operated businesses.
3. Acknowledge work and progress with Parks and Recreation, Libraries and Seattle Schools – all of which people are recognizing their efforts to improve and invest in the neighborhood.
4. Continue work on abating litter through RBAC clean up crew, clean-up days and relationships with SDOT, RBMA, specific businesses and Metro on key areas.
5. Strengthen collaboration and communication with SDOT to improve lighting and sidewalks.

We will keep you informed about applications of these recommendations in the coming weeks.